Used 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class AMG CLA 35
Used 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class AMG CLA 35





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Used CLA-Class for sale
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class model years
Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class types
- AMG CLA 35
- AMG CLA 45
- Sedan
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2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class Review

byDan Frio
Reviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
Pros
- Generous list of standard features
- Luxury badging without the premium price
- Available high-horsepower AMG CLA 45 trim
Cons
- Less rear headroom than the related A-Class sedan
What's new
- Minor revisions to standard and optional feature availability
- Part of the second CLA generation introduced for 2020
Overview
Given the history and prestige of the Mercedes badge, you'd be surprised to learn you can buy a brand-new Benz for about the price of a loaded popular midsize family sedan. While you probably wouldn't choose the diminutive 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA as your primary family car, this entry-level Benz otherwise delivers many of the same qualities found on bigger and more expensive sedans.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class AMG CLA 35 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.32 per gallon for premium unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$215/mo for CLA-Class AMG CLA 35
CLA-Class AMG CLA 35
vs
$184/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
If you think the CLA strongly resembles another car — the Mercedes A-Class, for example — you're not wrong. The two are strikingly similar, but with some key differences. The CLA, first introduced to the U.S. in 2014, was once a quick and responsive car with awful comfort and ride quality, opposite of what you'd expect from Mercedes. The A-Class arrived a few years later with a more conventional sedan look and set a new benchmark for small luxury sedans.
This current, second-generation CLA uses the A-Class underpinnings and represents a comprehensive improvement on the earlier model. Compared to the A-Class, the CLA is the rowdier sibling. The base trim CLA offers about 30 more horsepower than its A-Class counterpart, and the CLA range tops out at 382 hp, compared to A-Class' 302 horsepower. The CLA also offers more trunk space, making it slightly more practical for cargo, if not passengers.
Picking between the A-Class or CLA might be one decision you'll have to make. But there are other challengers that include the Audi A3, BMW's 2 Series Gran Coupe and possibly even the Mazda 3, which is competitive in its loaded-up trim levels. But packed with features and personality, and backed by an impeccable pedigree, the CLA makes a fitting entry into Mercedes-Benz ownership.
Which CLA-Class does Edmunds recommend?
Unless you thirst for more than 300 horsepower (a wholly reasonable thirst, but overkill in a small car like the CLA), go for the CLA 250. It comes loaded with standard features, including class-leading infotainment and essential driver safety systems. It also offers most available options in the CLA range, allowing you to tailor your car to taste.
2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class models
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA sedan is a small coupe-style sedan available in three trim levels: CLA 250, AMG CLA 35 and AMG CLA 45. The AMG versions are more powerful and sportier but otherwise the trims generally have the same standard and optional features. All-wheel drive (Mercedes calls it 4Matic) is optional for the CLA 250 and standard on the CLA 35 and 45. Feature highlights include:
CLA 250
Comes reasonably well equipped with:
- Turbocharged four-cylinder engine (221 horsepower, 258 lb-ft of torque)
- Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
- LED headlights
- 18-inch wheels
- Panoramic sunroof
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Heated side mirrors
- Keyless entry and push-start ignition
Interior features include:
- Simulated leather upholstery
- Power-adjustable sport front seats with memory function
- 40/20/40-split folding rear seats
- Dual-zone climate control
- Leather-wrapped steering wheel
- Customizable ambient cabin lighting
The CLA 250 also has:
- 7-inch touchscreen and gauge cluster displays
- Touchpad controller
- Mercedes' MBUX infotainment interface
- Apple Car Play and Android Auto smartphone integration
- Blind-spot monitor (warns you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while reversing)
- Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
AMG CLA 35
Besides a more powerful engine and all-wheel drive, the AMG CLA 35 adds:
- Upgraded engine (302 hp, 295 lb-ft)
- 18-inch AMG wheels
- Sport-tuned suspension
- 10.25-inch touchscreen and gauge cluster displays
AMG CLA 45
Bundles the features from both lower trims and adds:
- Boost to 382 hp and 354 lb-ft
- Eight-speed dual-clutch transmission
- Performance-oriented all-wheel drive
- 19-inch AMG wheels
- Hands-free opening trunk
- Power-folding, auto-dimming side mirrors
- Unique AMG body styling
The CLA offers dozens of optional features. Notable extras for the base CLA 250 include:
- AMG Line package
- AMG body kit
- 18-inch AMG wheels
- Diamond-pattern grille
- Sport steering wheel
- Sport-tuned suspension
- Exterior Lighting package
- Adaptive cornering headlights
- Automatic high beams
- Premium package
- 10.25-inch displays
- Auto-dimming rearview and side mirrors
- Power-folding side mirrors
- Multimedia package
- Navigation system with enhanced video overlay
- Speed limit alert
- Driver Assistance package
- Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the CLA and the car in front)
- Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
- Lane change assist (during cruise control, can automatically change lanes after driver activates turn signal for several seconds)
- Enhanced blind-spot monitoring (can steer the CLA to help avoid a collision with a vehicle in your blind spot)
- Evasive steering assist (enhances the forward collision mitigation system with steering-based collision avoidance)
- Parking Assistance package
- 360-degree surround-view system (uses cameras in all four directions to compose a single image of the car's surroundings)
- Automated self-parking system (can self-park in and out of parallel and perpendicular parking spaces)
There are also stand-alone options, such as:
- Gloss black and carbon-fiber-style body trim
- Leather upholstery
- Heated and ventilated front seats
- Multi-contour front seats with adjustable lumbar, side and shoulder support
- Heated steering wheel
- Hands-free opening trunk
- Wireless charging pad
- Dashcam
- Burmester surround-sound system
The CLA 35 can be equipped with the above packages (minus the AMG Line) and stand-alone options, and also offers:
- AMG Night package
- Gloss black trim
- 18-inch AMG wheels with black accents
- AMG Aerodynamics package
- Performance-oriented body kit
- AMG Performance Seat package
- AMG multi-contour heated front seats with adjustable lumbar, side and shoulder support
- Adaptive sport suspension
- Sport steering wheel
- Head-up display
- Onboard performance data recorder
The CLA 45 can also be equipped with all above packages and options, along with:
- AMG Dynamic Plus package
- Electronically adjustable sport suspension
- Driver-selectable performance modes
- Upgraded brakes
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class AMG CLA 35.
5 star(46%)
4 star(15%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(8%)
1 star(31%)
13 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
2 out of 5 stars
Good and bad both
Kabir Chaudhry , 05/22/2021
2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class AMG CLA 35 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
This car is good looking, amazing fast machine which would always push my adrenaline to a next level, though I would not recommend buying as the suspension is way too stiff on the CLA 35, it would make you feel every small bump on the road. I got the 19 inches wheel, I suggest Mercedes not to offer more than 18’s on this car as my 19 incher’s are bent due to all the road conditions even … after being very careful with the bumps. All this leads to rattling noises in the car my sunroof / door panels was fixed a lot of times but the rattling wouldn’t stop coming back, this is really irritating which is why not buying this car would save you a lot of trips from the service centre
4 out of 5 stars
My 5th Mercedes, my first AMG
Sean , 10/26/2021
2021 Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class AMG CLA 35 4dr Sedan AWD (2.0L 4cyl Turbo 7AM)
Having owned (leased) 5 other Mercedes, I was ready to step it up to the AMG line. No, it’s not “a real AMG” as it doesn’t have a hand built engine, but the 302hp is just enough to put a smile on your face.
The styling of this car is outstanding. I have 19in black wheels but swap them out during the winter. The ride is a bit harsh but I’m not one who buys cars for the ride quality, … as it’s a proper sports car.
Interior and tech is crazy cool, although I “set it and forget it” and don’t really play around with all the features.
MPG is great, i average 24.
The only con is the transmission. I had the same Dual Clutch 7 speed in my 2014 CLA and didn’t like it. Same for the CLA35. It’s jerky, especially from a dead stop. There’s a noticeable lag before the clutch engages and the shifts can get confused, hesitating at times. Still does the job though. I’m used to the odd behaviors at this point.
One other oddity was a random glitch in the software. While driving on the highway for over an hour, the car suddenly wouldn’t downshift and barely accelerated. In 4th gear it wouldn’t upshift. I pulled over, shut it off, waited 5 minutes and started it up again. The problem hasn’t occurred since. The dealership said unless a light pops on it was probably just a computer issues and turning it off/on again would solve it. Not very encouraging but like I said, it hasn’t happened again. And that was 7 months ago.
It’s funny how you can get used to driving a fast(er) car. When I first got it I was blown away by its speed. No it’s just “ok” and I find myself wanting the CLA45 when my lease is up. We shall see.
Overall, this is the perfect “starter AMG” that will seduce you quickly.
2021 CLA-Class Highlights
AMG CLA 35
Base MSRP | $47,850 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 25 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $215/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 11.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | all wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Our experts like the CLA-Class models:
- Active Brake Assist
- Warns of an impending front collision and applies the brakes if you don't react.
- Blind-Spot Assist
- Displays a warning triangle in the mirror if a car is in your blind spot and beeps if you activate a turn signal.
- Attention Assist
- Uses many sensors and other data to tell if you're getting fatigued and suggests a rest stop.
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